GRAND RAPIDS – Three goals, two of which were scored on the power play, in a six-minute stretch of the second period, were all Rockford needed Wednesday night as the Rams held on for a 3-2 OK Hockey Conference victory over Forest Hills Northern/Eastern.

Rockford (3-3-2 overall, 3-0-1-1 in Tier I) fell behind 1-0 at Griff's Icehouse on a goal scored by Jeremy Lynn, on assists from Connor Matulaitis and Gustav Frank, with 2:16 left in the first period. The Rams then tied the game 31 seconds into the second period on a power play goal scored by senior Stephen Shira and assisted by senior Cam Bathum.

Shira gave the Rams a 2-1 lead 82 seconds later on an assist from junior David Sokol, and at 6:42 of the second frame, Rams junior center Noah Brayton made it 3-1 with another power play goal.

“Forest Hills came out ready to play and we didn't,” Rockford coach Ed VanPortfliet said. “We hadn't played in 11 days though, so we told the guys to just get through the first period. We were fortunate to be down only 1-0 because they outplayed us in the first period. Our special teams were real good tonight but this was another close Tier I game that could have gone either way.

Forest Hills drew within a goal just four seconds into a power play chance when Eastern senior Sam Rennaker took a faceoff from Marc Anderson and beat Rams goalie Todd Millar with a high shot in the final minute of the second period.

“Marc Anderson was good on faceoffs all night and he got it back to Rennaker who, in my opinion, is the best forward in the area," VanPortfliet said.

Neither team surrendered a goal in the third period although the Hawks and Huskies were on the power play for the game's final two minutes.

“This is a big win for us,” VanPortfliet said. “It's a big conference win for us because we're trying to keep pace with Mona Shores.”

“We controlled the pace of the game early on,” FHN/E coach Tom Bissett said. “We had a very good first period but then we gave up two power play goals and that was the difference. We had a couple of breakdowns and they got some second chances that they scored on. After that stretch (when the Rams scored their three goals), they had a tough time even getting it into our zone.”

Rockford is scheduled to play East Grand Rapids Friday night at Patterson Ice Center while Forest Hills Northern/Eastern is scheduled to play at East Kentwood Friday night.